The Winemaker

The Winemaker

Simone Bergese is originally from Alba, Italy and holds a degree in Oenology and Viticulture from the Turin University in Northern Italy. After completing his degree, Simone worked as Assistant Winemaker for several wineries in Italy’s Barolo and Barbaresco regions, as well as wineries in Australia. He was hired in 2003 as Chief Winemaker at Patria Winery in Sicily, and then he progressed in 2006 as the Chief Winemaker for the prestigious Firriato Winery, one of the best known wineries in Italy. During his time with these two wineries, Simone produced more than 18 million bottles of wine and was awarded several international awards.

In 2008, Bergese moved to the United States to join Potomac Point Winery in Stafford, Virginia. As the Winemaker at Potomac Point, he achieved over 60 awards for his wines in local, national and international wine competitions, including the prestigious International Wine Challenge and Decanter World Wine Awards where the wines were listed in the top 12 wines in Virginia.

Since joining Château Élan in 2013, his wines have won over 150 awards at prestigious wine competitions and he has brought the wine offerings to over 20 styles of wines.